Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-02-17

suppose it's because it requires less
business ability than most any thing
else they could go into"
''Can you recall some one who has
been unusually successful in any other
line Of business?' was asked.
Eyes; you probably know of s.,
who keeps large livery stable on the
North side. You might call him well
of, if not rich. He was engaged for
several years before the fire in driving
for banker. He was economical and
saved the most of his earnings. Then
his employer assisted him in starting a
livery in a small way on his own ac-
count. Now he has a large patronage
among very good-paying class and is
said to be making money. There ars
a few instances of that kind in this
city which can recall where men
and, in one or two cases, women-of
means and influence have given their
coachmen a lift by starting them in
some business; but, take them all to-
gether, they represent very small
percentage, of Chicago's businessmen
who have risen from coachman's life
to the independence of business of
their own. Now, in almost every other
calling or pursuit followed by young
men like myself, they progress by ex-
perience or are benefited by coming in
contact with men who will enlighten
them in some direction, but the genera!
cOachmen's duties are onerous, exact
ing and allow of no contact with the
general outside world that is beneficial
to him in the least. Hence it is that
SO few of them get ahead in life"
"Has not the companionship of
horses a strong attraction for some
men?"
''Indeed it has; and that is the rea-
son of mans seldom rising above his
early occupation. Take a man whose
time has been largely taken up with
the care or the surroundings of a sta
BILE and he is in hundred cases practl-
cally untitled for any thing else. Even
he himself feels it, but often more than
it actually exists, SO he will follow it
to the end of his days, letting many an
opportunity slip by where the same
energies is exerted in another direction
might bring far. better returns to hi
purse. Now and then a coachman's
lot is a very pleasant one indeed. You
will readily recall former Chicago
resident, who has recently been
brought into prominence. Now, he
was man that it was fun to work for;
there never was = more eccentric but
sensible man in Chicago regarding the
usages of his stable. 1t was only on
rare occasions that he would permit a
team of his own to be out after eight or
nine o'clock in the evening. l have
frequently known him to engage llv-
cry rig to send home his guests of the
evening when not horse of his own
was in use, and he always had full
stable. Indeed, for long time when
circumstances brought me into
more or less contact with his
coachman and stable, I know he
would not admit of the use
of his own carriages Sundays. Noman
ever loved displayed more than he, but
it was not at sacrifice of his stable. in
which he took much pride, or even the
sufferings of a lowly coachman by keep
ing him out in severe weather. Now,
what would you think of man who
would send his coachman back to the
barn on bitter cold night to change a
pair of heavy drab wooden mittens
which he had purchased himself to
drive in with some kind of comfort for
pair of black unlined dog-skins that
had been furnished him and which he
has been obliged to wear on account Of
their color ever since? know of just
such an instance in the very block
where work! 1t is just such treat
ment as that which makes men detest
their employers and often causes them
to leave suddenly without reoommen-
dation or loose their good will by get
ting drunk. Don't understand me as
saying there are no good features
about coachman's position, for there
are. Weare generally well housed and
get good substantial food, although not
very regularly. l have had good
many presents given me from time to
time and occasionally get tip from
some of the family when / have been
out very late at night. but these don't
come in every drivers way, and some
never see them, so they tell me-
CHICAGO Tribune